Thomas Rhett performs as part of C2C in 2016. Photo: Hunter Ney
Since earning his first No. 1 song in 2013 with “It Goes Like This,” Thomas Rhett has become known as one of country music’s most successful and talented newcomers. In addition to co-writing his own chart-toppers including “Star of the Show,” “Get Me Some Of That,” and “Crash and Burn,” he’s penned hits for Florida Georgia Line (“‘Round Here”), Jason Aldean (“1994”), and Michael Ray (“Think A Little Less”), among others.
In 2016, his career skyrocketed as “Die A Happy Man” spent six weeks atop the country charts and earned him the CMA Single of the Year honor. Earlier this year, he was named the Academy of Country Music’s Male Vocalist of the Year.
In the midst of building his career stateside, the Big Machine Label Group artist, along with his team, has been steadily building his draw with audiences in the United Kingdom.
In 2016, Thomas Rhett performed at C2C: Country 2 Country, a festival developed by 02 Arena and SJM Concerts, in conjunction with the Country Music Association.
“[C2C organizers] are providing a platform globally and that helps for country music to gain exposure, for us to make a commitment to go overseas and tour,” says Thomas Rhett’s manager, G Major Management founder Virginia Davis. “We took that initial opportunity and built around it.”
Davis, along with BMLG’s international director Jimmy Chapin, WME’s Akiko Rogers, and Live Nation UK’s Anna-Sophie Mertens, will discuss the process and strategy behind focusing on overseas markets during the panel “Thomas Rhett: Breaking An International Act” for the 2017 Music Biz Conference. The panel will take place Wednesday, May 17 at 12:15 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel Nashville.
In May 2016, Thomas Rhett followed his debut Country 2 Country appearance with a full-fledged media trip to the UK, where it was announced he would be returning to the UK for a series of shows in November, including stops in Dublin, Ireland; London, England; Glasgow, Scotland; Antwerp, Belgium; and more.
By the time Thomas Rhett returned for the series of headlining shows, his singles such as “Crash and Burn” and “Die A Happy Man” had gained traction and the groundwork had been laid with nearly a full year of promotion.
“We ended up selling out our headlining UK shows in November, so we knew the UK market was something we could really build,” says Davis.
G Major Management’s Virginia Davis
New Opportunities, New Challenges
According to 2016 research findings from the Country Music Association, the UK market represents roughly 5 million listeners. Forty percent of adults in the UK/London listen to country music, and the UK was among the markets with the highest levels of listeners who rank the country music genre as their favorite.
Mertens names the popular television show Nashville as a catalyst for catching the eyes and ears of music fans in the UK in the past several years.
“I think people saw some background into the songwriting and everything that goes on in Nashville,” Mertens says. “The show has a great storyline and great songs they use in the show. I think people who would normally say, ‘I don’t like country music,’ began to realize that their tastes might be aligned a little bit more with what country music has to offer.”
Working radio in the UK can also offer artists the ability for different and additional radio singles, as the UK’s cycle for a radio single can last from six to eight weeks, compared to approximately 20 weeks for a radio single in the United States.
In addition to key radio stations, Mertens lists daytime television segments and playlists, including top Spotify playlists, among the top ways to reach UK fans. “We don’t have as many digital radio stations in the UK, it’s not quite as much of a thing here. There is only one mainstream station, BBC Radio2, that really embraces some country acts, and then, only some of them, not all of them. It is a publicly funded station, which means you can’t advertise on it, so it’s all about getting artists on their shows, or getting them on key playlists.”
Not that those playlists or stations need to be strictly country. Mertens names another client, The Cadillac Three, as an example. “They aren’t classed as country in the UK. They are classed as southern rock/classic rock, so we suddenly have all these avenues across the rock stations, and the Download Festival, a huge rock festival. They were on that bill. They will play to huge numbers of people, so it’s almost about finding an angle that isn’t just straight country but that you can do something with. That isn’t to say a straight country angle won’t work, but you’ve got an added bonus. And that’s why Thomas Rhett has worked so well.” The Cadillac Three will return to the Download Festival this year.
Mertens says that some of the most well-received audience targeting for UK fans of Thomas Rhett found that those fans were also strong fans of artists such as Maroon 5, Train, Jason Mraz and John Mayer, in addition to other country artists.
“He’s not that dissimilar in terms of audience profile,” says Mertens. “The age group might be 25+, they are female-heavier for sure, and lots of couples, but the range does go into older audiences as well.”
Davis says that UK fans share a deep love for country music. During her time working with Thomas Rhett in UK markets, she noticed that UK fans tend to gravitate toward an album’s deeper cuts earlier in an artist’s career. She also noticed how the fans reacted to singer-songwriter (and Thomas Rhett’s father) Rhett Akins, who opened the shows. “It was amazing seeing Rhett Akins open these shows in the UK this past November. They knew all of Rhett’s songs, they knew the Luke Bryan cuts, the Blake Shelton cuts. They were singing along to these songs that Rhett was performing, and then later the same for Thomas Rhett’s set.”
Davis calls C2C: Country 2 Country a great launching pad for artists, but stresses the key to success is international markets comes from consistency. “You have to have an artist that wants that international success and is dedicated to doing what it takes to build it.”
Davis says they are looking at 2018 to continue shows globally—hoping to build a similar career arc in Australia, as well as an additional round of UK shows in even larger venues.
“The goal is for Thomas Rhett to be able to play his music for as many fans as he can,” Davis says. “It’s about finding the best ways to reach all his fans and serve that demand with an incredible live performance.”
EmiSunshine Compiles Industry Team
/by Lorie HollabaughSeated (L-R): Charlie Ray (Music City Artists), EmiSunshine, Shelly Mullins (ProMO Image)
Standing: Stephanie Orr-Buttrey (Country Wired), Kat Atwood (Music City Media)
EmiSunshine, the 12-year-old from East Tennessee who became a viral phenomenon, has assembled her team to assist with the release of her upcoming album Ragged Dreams. She has signed with Steven Pritchard of Pro Tour Events for artist management. Pritchard will oversee and assist with day-to-day management including A&R, booking, PR and social media campaigns.
She has also signed with Music City Media and ProMO Image as national PR representatives, Charlie Ray with Music City Artists as her exclusive booking agent, Stephanie Orr of Country Wired to help elevate Emi’s digital footprint, and Ed Gertler of Digital Delivery Services to spearhead the global digital retail campaign.
In Pictures: SESAC Celebrates in Key West
/by Haley CrowPictured (L-R): SESAC songwriters Steve Bogard and Justin Wilson, VP of Creative Services Shannan Hatch, and Rob Hatch. Photo: Courtesy SESAC
SESAC held its annual Brunch & In-the-Round at Kelly’s Caribbean Bar & Grill in the historic seaport of Key West at this year’s 22nd annual Key West Songwriters Festival.
SESAC affiliates Matt Alderman, Steve Bogard, Nora Collins, Jim Femino, Tiffany Goss, Rob Hatch, Adam Searan, Brian White, Karyn Williams and Justin Wilson were among the talented artists who performed at the brunch and throughout the five-day festival.
Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Lydia Schultz, Storme Warren, and Shannan Hatch. Photo: Courtesy SESAC
Pictured (L-R): SESAC songwriter Brian White, Shannan Hatch, songwriter Karyn Williams, and SESAC Creative Services Manager Cristina Wheeler. Photo: Courtesy SESAC
Warner Music Nashville Signs Morgan Evans
/by Jessica NicholsonMorgan Evans with Warner Music Nashville Chairman & CEO, John Esposito
Warner Music Nashville has signed singer, songwriter and musician Morgan Evans.
Hailing from Newcastle, Australia, Evans recalls an early interest in music when he started playing guitar at the age of 13. He spent his teenage years seeing the country through the windshield of an old van as he toured in a band with his brother.
Signed to Warner Music Australia since 2012, he now continues his relationship with the Warner Music family in Nashville. Managed by Fitzgerald Hartley out of Nashville and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge out of Australia, he is currently in the studio working on new music with songwriter/producer Chris DeStefano.
Evans is set to play the Grand Ole Opry stage this Friday, May 19, followed by a performance the following evening at Nashville’s legendary Bluebird Café. Evans is also engaged to Black River Entertainment singer-songwriter Kelsea Ballerini.
Alexandra Petkovski Inks With Unsecret Music
/by Lorie HollabaughHailing from Toronto, Petkovski is a classically-trained pianist, an Istvan Electroacoustic Scholar and the former lead singer of the band the GiGi Sisters. As a recent Belmont University graduate with a Masters in Music Composition, Petkovski is now creating some of the industry’s most distinct forays into dance-infused pop music.
“Alexandra exemplifies everything Unsecret Music is about – artistry, imagination, and a desire to work at the highest level,” says Matt Bronleewe, Owner/Founder of Unsecret Music. “When I first met her, I was amazed at the array of talents she possesses. It’s going to take years before the depths of those abilities fully come to light.”
“I’m excited to join forces with Matt Bronleewe and become part of the Unsecret Music family,” Petkovski shares. “Music has been my whole life and I’m excited to continue my musical journey here in America. I’ve already met and worked with so many unbelievably talented and humble people who have helped shape the person I’ve become and the music I create.”
Unsecret Music also represents artists Wave & Rome, Meaning Machine and The Uncaged Sea. Bronleewe is a producer, songwriter, author and former member of CCM band Jars of Clay.
LifeNotes: Nashville Songwriter Joy Byers Passes
/by Robert K OermannByers died at age 82 on May 10.
Her copyrights include “What’s A Matter Baby,” a 1962 pop hit for Timi Yuro, as well as Brenda Lee’s 1964 pop single “When You Loved Me,” “Wishing It Was You” by Connie Francis in 1965 and the novelty “Ring Dang Doo’ by Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs in 1966.
Byers is perhaps best remembered as the writer of the Elvis Presley 1964 hit “It Hurts Me.” She went on to write or co-write 16 songs for Presley’s movies, including the charted “Please Don’t Stop Loving Me’ (1966) and “Let Yourself Go” (1968). Her country top-10 hits included “Gardenias in Her Hair” by Marty Robbins in 1967, “Here Comes Heaven” by Eddy Arnold in 1968 and “I Can’t Say Goodbye” by Marty Robbins in 1969.
Joy Byers is also credited on songs recorded by The Orlons, Arthur Alexander, Gene Vincent, Bill Haley & The Comets, Rick Nelson, Solomon Burke, Steve Alaimo, Hank Locklin, Nancy Sinatra, The 5 Royales, Del Shannon, Betty Everett, Joe Henderson, Anita Bryant, Jimmy Church, Joe Hinton, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Lee Lewis and Big Al Downing, among others.
She was the widow of Bob Dylan/Johnny Cash/Leonard Cohen record producer Bob Johnston (1932-2015).
Joy Byers is survived by son Kevin, three grandchildren and two nieces. According to The Tennessean, a private memorial for her will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be submitted at alexanderfh.info. (real name: Joyce Alene Byers Johnston).
Exclusive: Thomas Rhett Builds On Stateside Success With UK Touring, Radio
/by Jessica NicholsonThomas Rhett performs as part of C2C in 2016. Photo: Hunter Ney
Since earning his first No. 1 song in 2013 with “It Goes Like This,” Thomas Rhett has become known as one of country music’s most successful and talented newcomers. In addition to co-writing his own chart-toppers including “Star of the Show,” “Get Me Some Of That,” and “Crash and Burn,” he’s penned hits for Florida Georgia Line (“‘Round Here”), Jason Aldean (“1994”), and Michael Ray (“Think A Little Less”), among others.
In 2016, his career skyrocketed as “Die A Happy Man” spent six weeks atop the country charts and earned him the CMA Single of the Year honor. Earlier this year, he was named the Academy of Country Music’s Male Vocalist of the Year.
In the midst of building his career stateside, the Big Machine Label Group artist, along with his team, has been steadily building his draw with audiences in the United Kingdom.
In 2016, Thomas Rhett performed at C2C: Country 2 Country, a festival developed by 02 Arena and SJM Concerts, in conjunction with the Country Music Association.
“[C2C organizers] are providing a platform globally and that helps for country music to gain exposure, for us to make a commitment to go overseas and tour,” says Thomas Rhett’s manager, G Major Management founder Virginia Davis. “We took that initial opportunity and built around it.”
Davis, along with BMLG’s international director Jimmy Chapin, WME’s Akiko Rogers, and Live Nation UK’s Anna-Sophie Mertens, will discuss the process and strategy behind focusing on overseas markets during the panel “Thomas Rhett: Breaking An International Act” for the 2017 Music Biz Conference. The panel will take place Wednesday, May 17 at 12:15 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel Nashville.
In May 2016, Thomas Rhett followed his debut Country 2 Country appearance with a full-fledged media trip to the UK, where it was announced he would be returning to the UK for a series of shows in November, including stops in Dublin, Ireland; London, England; Glasgow, Scotland; Antwerp, Belgium; and more.
By the time Thomas Rhett returned for the series of headlining shows, his singles such as “Crash and Burn” and “Die A Happy Man” had gained traction and the groundwork had been laid with nearly a full year of promotion.
“We ended up selling out our headlining UK shows in November, so we knew the UK market was something we could really build,” says Davis.
G Major Management’s Virginia Davis
New Opportunities, New Challenges
According to 2016 research findings from the Country Music Association, the UK market represents roughly 5 million listeners. Forty percent of adults in the UK/London listen to country music, and the UK was among the markets with the highest levels of listeners who rank the country music genre as their favorite.
Mertens names the popular television show Nashville as a catalyst for catching the eyes and ears of music fans in the UK in the past several years.
“I think people saw some background into the songwriting and everything that goes on in Nashville,” Mertens says. “The show has a great storyline and great songs they use in the show. I think people who would normally say, ‘I don’t like country music,’ began to realize that their tastes might be aligned a little bit more with what country music has to offer.”
Working radio in the UK can also offer artists the ability for different and additional radio singles, as the UK’s cycle for a radio single can last from six to eight weeks, compared to approximately 20 weeks for a radio single in the United States.
In addition to key radio stations, Mertens lists daytime television segments and playlists, including top Spotify playlists, among the top ways to reach UK fans. “We don’t have as many digital radio stations in the UK, it’s not quite as much of a thing here. There is only one mainstream station, BBC Radio2, that really embraces some country acts, and then, only some of them, not all of them. It is a publicly funded station, which means you can’t advertise on it, so it’s all about getting artists on their shows, or getting them on key playlists.”
Not that those playlists or stations need to be strictly country. Mertens names another client, The Cadillac Three, as an example. “They aren’t classed as country in the UK. They are classed as southern rock/classic rock, so we suddenly have all these avenues across the rock stations, and the Download Festival, a huge rock festival. They were on that bill. They will play to huge numbers of people, so it’s almost about finding an angle that isn’t just straight country but that you can do something with. That isn’t to say a straight country angle won’t work, but you’ve got an added bonus. And that’s why Thomas Rhett has worked so well.” The Cadillac Three will return to the Download Festival this year.
Mertens says that some of the most well-received audience targeting for UK fans of Thomas Rhett found that those fans were also strong fans of artists such as Maroon 5, Train, Jason Mraz and John Mayer, in addition to other country artists.
“He’s not that dissimilar in terms of audience profile,” says Mertens. “The age group might be 25+, they are female-heavier for sure, and lots of couples, but the range does go into older audiences as well.”
Davis says that UK fans share a deep love for country music. During her time working with Thomas Rhett in UK markets, she noticed that UK fans tend to gravitate toward an album’s deeper cuts earlier in an artist’s career. She also noticed how the fans reacted to singer-songwriter (and Thomas Rhett’s father) Rhett Akins, who opened the shows. “It was amazing seeing Rhett Akins open these shows in the UK this past November. They knew all of Rhett’s songs, they knew the Luke Bryan cuts, the Blake Shelton cuts. They were singing along to these songs that Rhett was performing, and then later the same for Thomas Rhett’s set.”
Davis calls C2C: Country 2 Country a great launching pad for artists, but stresses the key to success is international markets comes from consistency. “You have to have an artist that wants that international success and is dedicated to doing what it takes to build it.”
Davis says they are looking at 2018 to continue shows globally—hoping to build a similar career arc in Australia, as well as an additional round of UK shows in even larger venues.
“The goal is for Thomas Rhett to be able to play his music for as many fans as he can,” Davis says. “It’s about finding the best ways to reach all his fans and serve that demand with an incredible live performance.”
Miranda Lambert And Furry Friends To Raise Their Paws For The MuttNation Cause With CMA Music Fest March
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“So many shelter pets need a home, so we are going to march to raise awareness,” says Lambert. “Country music has the best fans in the world and together we can help so many animals find amazing homes.”
Fans and their own dogs are encouraged to join the celebration and help spread awareness for shelter pets, and registration for the inaugural MuttNation March begins today at MuttNationFoundation.com. The cost to register is $15 per person and includes an event t-shirt to wear during the march.
The March will conclude just steps away from Music City Center, where the MuttNation Foundation Adoption Drive will take place inside CMA Fan Fair X throughout CMA Fest. The Adoption Drive will feature a photo booth, the MuttNation mobile unit and the crowd favorite, “Puppy Corral,” with plenty of shelter dogs looking to find forever homes. The MuttNation Fueled by Miranda Lambert Pet Collection will also be available to purchase, and a portion of proceeds from each sale goes to benefit the MuttNation Foundation.
Those unable to attend the March can still help out some deserving furry friends in need. Today through June 19, fans can visit MuttNationFoundation.com and enter the MuttNation Shelter Day Sweepstakes, where a winner and guest will receive a day with Lambert making over an animal shelter in need. Fans giving higher donations will receive a handful of unique incentives including exclusive merchandise, meet & greets and more.
ACM Announces Industry Award Nominees
/by Jessica NicholsonThe event will take place Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.
INDUSTRY AWARD NOMINEES:
NIGHTCLUB OF THE YEAR
8 Seconds Saloon – Indianapolis, IN
House of Blues – Boston, MA
Joe’s Live – Rosemont, IL
The Pageant – St. Louis, MO
Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA
CASINO OF THE YEAR – SMALL CAPACITY
Foxwoods Resort and Casino – Mashantucket, CT
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Sioux City, IA
Harrah’s Council Bluffs – Council Bluffs, IA
Mystic Showroom – Prior Lake, MN
Peppermill Concert Hall – Wendover, NV
CASINO OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM CAPACITY
Casino Rama Resort – Orillia, ON, Canada
Choctaw Casino Event Center – Durant, OK
Grand Casino Hinckley – Hinckley, MN
The Joint at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, NV
WinStar World Casino – Thackerville, OK
VENUE OF THE YEAR – SMALL CAPACITY
ACL Live at the Moody Theater – Austin, TX
Gillioz Theatre – Springfield, MO
Hoyt Sherman Place – Des Moines, IA
PlayStation Theater – New York, NY
Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN
VENUE OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM CAPACITY
Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook – Gilford, NH
Denny Sanford Premier Center – Sioux Falls, SD
Ford Center – Evansville, IN
Huntington Center – Toledo, OH
Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO
VENUE OF THE YEAR – LARGE CAPACITY
Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
CMAC – Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center – Canandaigua, NY
Fenway Park – Boston, MA
Klipsch Music Center – Noblesville, IN
Xfinity Center – Mansfield, MA
FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
Boots and Hearts Music Festival – Medonte, ON, Canada
Faster Horses Festival – Brooklyn, MI
Tortuga Music Festival – Fort Lauderdale, FL
Watershed Festival – George, WA
Windy City Smokeout – Chicago, IL
DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR
Todd Boltin – Variety Attractions
Lenore Kinder – AEG Live
Dan Merker – HUKA Entertainment
Concho Minick – Billy Bob’s Texas
Michelle Romeo – Romeo Entertainment
PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Brent Fedrizzi – AEG Live
Ali Harnell – AEG Live
Darin Lashinsky – National Shows 2
Patrick McDill – Live Nation
Ed Warm – Joe’s Live
Industry Pics: YEP, Music Biz 2017, Kelsea Ballerini
/by Haley CrowYEP Joins Forces With MusicBiz
Pictured (L-R): Colin Kassekert, Rachel Knight, Lou Taylor and Garrison Snell.
The Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) Nashville joined forces with the Music Business Association (Music Biz) to bring “Generation Next: Networking in the 21st Century” to Music Biz 2017 earlier today (May 16) at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.
Moderated by Rachel Knight, a YEP board member and President of The Knight Agency, Inc., the panel included Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group Owner/CEO Lou Taylor, YEP Co-chair and Gyrosity Projects/Crosshair CEO Garrison Snell, and Insperity Business Performance Advisor Colin Kassekert discussing the best practices of networking in the digital age.
Music Biz 2017 Industry Jam
Pictured: The original Alice Cooper band accepted an Outstanding Achievement Award from Music Biz President James Donio (far left) and Music Biz Vice Chairman Steve Harkins (far right) at the Industry Jam on May 15. Photo: Courtesy Jaybird Communications
The Music Business Association (Music Biz) held its second annual Industry Jam as part of the Music Biz 2017 convention last night (May 15) at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.
The live concert event included a rare reunion of the original Alice Cooper band; a tribute to Emerson Lake & Palmer featuring band member Carl Palmer; a celebration of the Summer of Love’s 50th anniversary featuring Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals, Cathy Richardson of Jefferson Starship, and Mark Stein of Vanilla Fudge; a tribute to Glen Campbell with a special award accepted by his wife Kimberly Woolen and a performance from his children Ashley, Shannon, and Cal Campbell; performances from the Nashville Symphony Quartet with Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero and the Fisk Jubilee Singers; and much more.
Alice Cooper
Carl Palmer
Felix Cavaliere
Kimberly Woolen
Ashley Campbell
Nashville Symphony Quartet
Fisk Jubilee Singers
All photos courtesy Jaybird Communications
Kelsea Ballerini Rocks UK Debut
Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: Sony Music Entertainment UK
Kelsea Ballerini made her UK debut last week when she performed a sold-out headlining concert at London’s Under The Bridge nightclub on May 11. Ballerini was greeted by roaring fans who sang along to every word of her chart-topping hits including “Peter Pan,” “Love Me Like You Mean It,” “Dibs” and “Yeah Boy.”
Sony Music Commercial Group in conjunction with Black River Entertainment hosted the record-breaking singer/songwriter in support of the UK release of her critically acclaimed debut album The First Time. The special UK edition features four bonus acoustic tracks, along with her lead UK single, “XO,” now spinning on BBC Radio 2.
The Appointment Group Sets Global Entry/TSA Pre-Check Enrollment Days For Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonPhoto provided by Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp
The Appointment Group Nashville will host a private Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check Enrollment event, to be held at the Thompson Nashville (401 11th Ave. S.) on Tuesday, June 20; Wednesday, June 21; and Thursday, June 22, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day.
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. There is no minimum number of trips necessary to qualify for the program. Participants may enter the United States by using automated kiosks located at select airports.
TSA Pre-Check allows low-risk travelers to experience faster, more efficient screening at participating U.S. airport checkpoints for domestic and international travel.
To register for Global Entry, applicants must create a GOES account, complete and submit the online application, and pay a $100 fee. Once approved, registrants can book an interview appointment for a time during June 20-22.
Those qualifying for Global Entry include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents of the U.S, and British citizens (barring certain restrictions).